Maddie got quite the scare in episode 6 when her husband, Cal plummeted down the stairs in a terrifying way. Episode 7 takes romance in Serenity to a deeper level, and Isaac makes his long-awaited return.
The episode titled “Hide and Seek,” started with Maddie walking Cal into the house from the hospital. Maddie tries to help, but Cal asks her to stop scolding him because he’s not a child. She admits that this is new to her because she’s only ever taken care of her kids and that Bill only wanted to take care of himself.
Cal opens up as well, saying that baseball has trained him to continue playing while hurt and that he carried that into his adult relationships. He wants to be more vulnerable with Maddie.
At Helen’s place, Erik is getting ready to leave after staying with her. She tells him that she hopes he’ll leave some things, and that she’ll set a drawer and kitchen cabinet just for him. They’ve really come a long way in their relationship, which they both express.
After asking Erik for a letter of recommendation, Annie confides in Dana Sue while they’re fishing that she wants to attend college in California. Dana Sue reassures her that she never has to be afraid to confide about her dreams.
While playing cards with Cal and Katie, Kyle asks for some advice about handling fame. Cal tells him that whenever someone is in a position of power and influence, they should use it to be in service to others.
It’s margarita night and Erik graciously made blueberry lemonade margaritas and brownie bites. The beautiful trio discuss their relationships, and Dana Sue proclaims that she will return to her high school alter ego, “Danger Sue,” to get Ronnie to stop doing the things he’s been doing.
Later at Sullivans and friends, Dana Sue asks Erik about Annie’s letter of recommendation. The conversation is warm, and Erik reminds her that when she gives the people she loves her confidence, they soar. She can’t always make everything better for everyone because growth often involves pain.
Annie gets a response from the Monterey Institute for the Arts. They love her portfolio, which makes her very happy, but she’s flooded with worry when they ask her for a self-portrait that reveals who she is. She’s concerned that she doesn’t know who she is.
Isaac finally returns home and runs into Noreen. He apologizes for not telling her about Bill and that he can’t imagine life in Serenity without her. She hugs him and assures him that he can share all his burdens with her.
Erik shows Helen his house and she’s in awe. She sees a picture of Vera, Erik’s wife who passed away, and Helen tells him she’s lovely. They start dancing, but their time gets interrupted by Isaac, who’s shocked yet ecstatic to see Helen there.
Isaac also reunites with Dana Sue, and she asks him if he’s really back. He declares that he’s back for good. Later, Maddie asks Isaac to dinner at her house, reminding him that he also has a family in Serenity. Ronnie advises Annie to embrace who she is in the moment, because who you are isn’t finite. You change and grow.
Maddie, Cal, and the kids have dinner, Dana Sue, Ronnie, and Annie take family photos, and Helen and Erik cook together. It’s a beautiful sight. Kyle pulls Isaac aside and tells him that he is now the man of the family, if he wants to be.
The episode ends in a shocking way, with Helen alerting Dana Sue and Maddie that their children have been arrested. What happened? Will our favorite trio get the kids out of trouble? The full season 4 of Sweet Magnolias is now streaming on Netflix.
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